Chelsea are closing in on a £15million deal for Everton midfielder Ross Barkley and could confirm the move before the weekend, according to reports.

The current Premier League champions attempted to sign the 24-year-old midfielder in the summer, in a deal worth around £35million, but he ended up staying at Goodison Park to continue his recovery from hamstring surgery.

Barkley rejected a new contract offer from the Merseyside club last season and told former manager Ronald Koeman he wanted to leave for a new challenge.

It means he will be available for free in the summer but, according to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are willing to pay to sign him now with London rivals Tottenham also interested.

The Blues have reportedly re-opened talks over a move for Barkley, but Everton are yet to agree.

They will look to maximise the price of their homegrown talent, who joined the academy as an 11-year-old and has made more than 150 first-team appearances, but £15m seems to be a generous offer for a player they could lose for nothing in a few months.